Three young trumpeter swans, blue heron 'likely shot' at Navarino Wildlife Area; DNR investigating

Rebecca Loroff, Green Bay Press-Gazette
·1 min read

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating the deaths of three young trumpeter swans and a blue heron in the Navarino Wildlife Area, said conversation warden Lieutenant Andy Lundin.

The department received a call Sunday saying three young trumpeter swans had been found dead in the wildlife area, Lundin said. A great blue heron was also found dead the following day in the wildlife area, which is in southern Shawano and northeast Waupaca counties.

All four birds were "likely shot," Lundin said. The DNR has since recovered their bodies and are investigating how they died.

Trumpeter swan populations in Wisconsin have risen thanks to reintroduction efforts that began in the 1990s. There are estimated to be more than 200 nesting pairs of trumpeters in the state.
Trumpeter swan populations in Wisconsin have risen thanks to reintroduction efforts that began in the 1990s. There are estimated to be more than 200 nesting pairs of trumpeters in the state.

According to the DNR, trumpeter swans migrate but build nests in Wisconsin. They were eliminated from the state during the 1880s but were reintroduced a century later, and thrived to the point where they were removed from the endangered species list in 2009. However, swans and great blue herons are still protected species, with no hunting season in Wisconsin.

"(The swans have) quite the recovery history," Lundin said.

He also said local birders enjoyed watching and photographing the birds, adding, "It's really sad that someone killed them."

The DNR's investigation is still in its early stages, and the agency is looking for any information on the birds' deaths. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the DNR by calling 1-800-847-9367.

Rebecca Loroff is a breaking and trending news reporter for northeastern Wisconsin. Contact her at rloroff@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Three swans, blue heron 'likely shot' in Navarino Wildlife Area